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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2011 Volkswagen TiguanRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 162 owner complaints for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. Most complaints involve engine (63) and electrical system (47). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Aug 2015
Owner complaints
162
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.

Air bagsReported Aug 4, 2015NHTSA 15V483000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 21, 2014NHTSA 14V441000

Electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 through June 2011. Due to a problem with the fuse for the exterior lights, the holder for the fuse that controls the vehicle's exterior lights circuit may melt.

Electrical systemReported Nov 22, 2013NHTSA 13V569000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

162 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2011 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine63
  2. Electrical system47
  3. Exterior lighting39
  4. Air bags30
  5. Steering14
  6. Fuel/propulsion system8
  7. Power train8
  8. Service brakes5
  9. Vehicle speed control4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Tiguan model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2009167
2010110
2011162
2012153
2013140
201484
201562
201697
201777
2018289
2019196
2020141
2021144
2022279
202372
202479
202558
202638
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

63 reports
“⁠The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the engine stalled. After several attempts, the vehicle started however the vehicle drove slowly. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump was previously repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the residence and was not repaired. The contact mentioned that the horn and the instrument panel failed to function. The failure mileage was unknown. 137,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 27, 2024EngineODI 11632723

Electrical system

47 reports1 fire
“My Tiguan randomly shuts down or stalls while driving. I have come very close to accidents because It is in the middle of the road where I can't pull over, people coming around a curve behind me that may not have time to brake, specifically RV's and Semi-trucks. It is terrifying. I have maintained my vehicle meticulously and payed thousands in repairs only to be told by dealerships and VW corporate offices that there is nothing they will or can do and that there are no recalls and out of warranty. However...There WAS one in 2014 citing DANGEROUS to drive because of stalling. According to KBB. I don't know what else to do and I am not able to get a new vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2024Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11604747

Exterior lighting

39 reports1 crash1 fire
“THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR START FLASING ,WHEN YOU TURN OF THE CAR , EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD & THE STERRING WHEEL HAVE A NOISE SOUND LIKE THE CLOCK RING HAS SOME DUST IN SIDE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2020Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bagsODI 11330670
All 2011 Tiguan problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tiguan
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
202522$3,500404
Tiguan
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
Tiguan 4motion
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,700423
  • Tiguan
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 25 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Tiguan
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Tiguan 4motion
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 637Vehicle 480
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 Tiguan questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan problems?

Owners filed 162 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (63), electrical system (47), exterior lighting (39). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026